WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear programme just days before closely watched talks in Oman on Saturday on the row between the long-time adversaries.
The Treasury Department said it was imposing sanctions under additional authorities on five entities including the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and one individual over the nuclear programme.
In practical terms, the move is symbolic as the United States already enforces sweeping sanctions on Iran and particularly its nuclear programme, whose scientists have also been the target of an assassination campaign attributed to Israel, AFP reported.
But the sanctions are the latest show of pressure by the United States ahead of the talks, which are set to take place Saturday in Oman.
“The Iranian regime’s reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons remains a grave threat to the United States and a menace to regional stability and global security,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement, vowing to “disrupt any attempt by Iran to advance its nuclear programme.”
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and US intelligence has not concluded that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon, saying only that the clerical state could quickly make a bomb if it chooses to do so.
Trump, who ripped up an earlier nuclear accord during his first time, has voiced hope for a diplomatic solution but has repeatedly warned of the use of force if talks fail.
In a news conference on April 7, United States President Donald Trump said there were direct talks between Iran and his administration on the future of Tehran’s nuclear programme.
“We’re having direct talks with Iran,” Trump said. “On Saturday, we have a very big meeting.”
Iran denies direct talks with US
Iran denied the direct talks but admitted talks were set to take place through Omani mediation.
Trump has until now applied what he calls a policy of “maximum pressure” on Iran, consisting of intensified sanctions.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said indirect talks between himself and US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff would take place in Oman.
“It is as much an opportunity as it is a test,” Araghchi wrote on X.
Iran has long said it will not hold direct talks with the US but agreed to work through an Omani intermediary, who was announced by Iranian state media to be Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said in September that direct talks were possible if the US showed it was amenable to good-faith talks.
“We are not hostile towards the US. They should end their hostility towards us by showing their goodwill in practice,” Pezeshkian said at the time. “We are brothers with the Americans as well.”
However, earlier this week, Araghchi questioned Washington’s sincerity in calling for negotiations, saying on Sunday, “If you want negotiations, then what is the point of threatening?”
